1. Tha's Auto Repair

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Santa Clara, CA

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Tha's Auto Repair

4.6 (56 reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Services - Tha's Auto Repair

Auto battery or electrical system repair

Auto brake repair

Auto engine repair

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LEFT IN TEARS.... I, along with my elderly mother and father, have been loyal longtime customers of Tha's for over 10 years. His prices were more reasonable than others and we knew he wouldn't do anything unethical in fixing our cars. However, lately I have seen a substantial decline in the quality of the work and customer service. I scheduled a routine oil change days in advance and still ended up waiting for 2 hours (the wait at Jiffy Lube is 10 minutes). So expect long wait times. Furthermore, I saw one of his new guys not use a funnel when topping off the break fluid and lots of fluid dribbled out of the bottle into my engine. Keep in mind last week my dad had his oil changed by Tha and discovered the oil cap was left completely off, just sitting on the engine when he returned home. If my dad hadn't immediately checked, who knows what kind of damage could have been done. So after two hours of standing (no chairs), waiting for my car oil to be changed, I asked to check the oil level. I couldn't see the oil line very clearly, but Tha insisted it was fine. I thanked him and left. The next day I thought it would be a good idea to check the level. Every time I checked on different "leveled" surfaces the oil indicated low (see photo). I called Tha and he raised his voice at me in exasperation saying the level is fine! I told him I'm concerned, and asked if could I swing by for him to do a quick check. He reluctantly agreed. When I arrived, I held out my phone so Tha could see a photo of the low oil level to prove I wasn't making this up. He dismissively walked right past me while impatiently snapping, "Ya, ya, I don't want to see a photo. Let me look at the car." I trailed behind him and when he checked the level it surprisingly looked pretty normal in the middle. "That's strange," I said. What would cause that to happen?" Immediately Tha's countenance became angry and he threatened, "How do I know?!? You tell me!! I don't know where you took that photo or where you checked the level! WE are professionals! WE know how much oil to put in your car! The next time you come back and I check your oil, YOU will be charged!" He continued to "let me have it" even making some rude personal remarks about my prescription sunglasses. I was shocked that he was speaking to me in such a disdainful, unprofessional manner and I explained how I was simply a concerned customer trying to prevent possible engine damage. Shaking his head at me with extreme annoyance he admonished, "No! Oil can even be on low and be fine! You worry too much! Next time you go somewhere else for oil change or I charge you extra! You understand me ?!? Tha's alarming behavior had quickly changed from the dismissive treatment I experienced the last couple of years to full-blown hostility. I explained how my entire family supported his business for over 10 years as very loyal customers. But Tha cut me off saying, "Ya ya- I appreciate your business..." and then completely walked away from me when I was talking in mid sentence. After getting balled out, I left shaken up and in tears (on Valentine's Day of all days!), feeling disrespected and like all my years of loyalty were slapped in the face the minute I questioned him. Is it such a crime to come back 2-3 times in those 10+ years and ask for 5 minutes of his time to recheck the workmanship? No customer should be yelled at and treated with such rudeness, along with putting up with long wait times, and lower quality work. I will take my business elsewhere where they value their customers and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Really made a mess of it that day

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6 months ago

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8 months ago

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

This mechanic is not on his word, he told you that if he fixes it so that you leave it and he doesn't fix it and he always charges you.

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9 months ago

I needed to get my tired changed and had a slight dent on back bumper. His shop provided service in a day. Prices are not too bad.

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1 year ago

Got an oil change and smog, everything went smooth and as expected. The work was professional and on time.

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

Great team there, was in and out in about 20 mins! Very knowledgeable and friendly team would definitely recommend!!

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

Have to fix my brake problem in the end of the day, they solve it really awesome way and really appreciate they effort.

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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9 years ago

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4 years ago

Didn't feel overcharged or shamed for not knowing anything about cars. He's great and fast!

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9 years ago

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4 years ago

This place was awesome. The guys were nice. I would highly recommend at least inquiring for their service. Quick and fast to the point

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4 years ago

Was able to replace the starter in a day with OEM part. The quote was reasonable than the other shops.

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

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Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Tha's Auto Repair

Review Highlights - Tha's Auto Repair

“I have gotten to know Tha Tran personally and I can tell you that you will not find a more honest mechanic than him.”

Mentioned in 2 reviews

Read more highlights

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Smog Queen Star Station - Santa Clara

Smog Queen Star Station - Santa Clara

(446 reviews)

Newhall

* Visited on a Thursday around 11:30am :)…read more I had gotten my car smog here after looking for a nearby star certified station. It was pretty quick and easy- literally finished within 15-20 minutes and that's without an appointment. I believe the pricing was $100 for the smog, but there's a coupon on their site for $30 off- be sure to check out their site. Mind you, it's 1 stall and I came while they weren't busy.

Hello I hope the owner reads this!…read more I have been coming to this smog for the last 4 years with 5 cars throughout that time my families cars. Today I needed to go and came around 440 pm to queen smog to get a needed smog for my 4Runner which I have brought it before twice and it's taken 10-15 minutes max. I pull up and address the employee very nicely and state hello sir, not even a greeting back just states " you know what time it is ?" . I responded stating yea I got off work late to come straight here. He responds " we close at 5, come earlier , u have dinosaur car it takes 30 minutes " . This is where I get a little upset bc in what world does a smog take 30 minutes? Please tell me ? And then to tell me to come earlier ... and then I state why are you telling to come earlier. Then he keeps repeating you have a Dino car over and over and states he is not gonnna do overtime bc he still has close the books .... What a joke. Owner of this smog place pls train your employee on correct customer service. I am hoping for a response back.

El Camino Smog Test Only Center - Price list and store policies

El Camino Smog Test Only Center

(68 reviews)

Forest

The place I had used before was inexplicably fenced off, so I drove along El Camino to look for…read moreanother place to smog my car (registration due in two days,oops). All I could find were tiny signs marking crowded, tiny shops in crowded, tiny parking lots that gave me a bit of a panic attack. I plugged into Waze, which took me here. Ah, so peaceful! No waiting, no confusing parking lots or ambiguous signs, just a bright flashing sign for smog checks and easy access to where I needed to park. The wait area was an oasis of peace. This will be my go-to now!

Unfortunately had a poor experience here…read more Brought in a manual transmission car from 1986 for a smog check, called beforehand to confirm if they could do it, and they said they were able to. The worker seemed uncomfortable moving my car around since it was a manual. He got it on the dyno and stalled it 3 times while it was on the dyno, so it wasn't a pretty sound each of those times. After the third stall, he said that he couldn't complete the smog because something was broken and not able to connect. Now the worst part was that while he was trying to get it off the dyno, he revved really high and had the clutch midway which essentially burns the clutch. Now we both know that it happened because it smelled like burning clutch, which is pretty distinct. I called the owner and all he could say was that if it drives fine then sorry, but it's fine. They told me to come back another day when the machine actually works. Now I'm left with no smog check, a worse off clutch, and grease marks from the worker's hands on my hood, shift knob, and steering wheel lol.

Precise Auto Repair

Precise Auto Repair

(287 reviews)

Newhall

My uncle recommended Precise Auto Repair after my 2008 Nissan Xterra starting making strange noises…read moreagain (a few months after new spark plugs, coils, and catalytic converters were replaced / installed by a different mechanic). I called first to ensure they had some time for me, recorded the noise from my car, and Tom listened to my video and hopped in my car for me to drive a few laps for him to hear it himself. After the noise decided to not occur (of course), he drove it, and also checked under the hood. He wasn't able to determine the source but assured me my car was absolutely safe to drive and told me what to listen for when it happens again, and also advised me to return when/if the noise becomes super consistent. I am by no means a mechanic and when a mechanic can confidently and proficiently summarize the situation to me (instead of shrugging their shoulders and just telling me to wait for the check engine light), I am incredibly grateful. I will definitely be back and not just because of this dumb noise but because he earned my trust pretty damn quick.

Sprinter friends -- they service Sprinters! I first came to…read morePrecise Auto Repair over two years ago while on a road trip and had such a great experience. I recently came back to the Bay Area and decided to return, this time with my 2019 Mercedes Sprinter for a transmission fluid and rear differential fluid service. Once again, great service, honest work, and fair pricing. Definitely a shop I trust and recommend!

Tha's Auto Repair - autorepair - Updated October 2026

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